PC Rebuild time?

[thelace]

My old PC has slowly been grinding to a halt, I guess that it's time for a re-build but haven't got a clue how to do it.

I've done the obvious of backing up all of my files, but where to go next, I have no idea.

It's running XP and didn't come with a bootable disc.

Can anyone please point me to a tutorial?

TIA

[HairyArsedBloke]

Well, you start like this

Then you get like this

And then do this

After that you'll feel like a

and tell you're other half you're going down the shops to by a new PC

HTH

[thelace]

Well, you start like this

Then you get like this

And then do this

After that you'll feel like a

and tell you're other half you're going down the shops to by a new PC

HTH

Thanks Mr Hirsuite Butt

[RichardCranium]

It's running XP and didn't come with a bootable disc.

Without an XP install disk, you cannot do the most effective fix which is to re-install everything from scratch.

If you can scrounge / borrow / steal one from ClientCo, then backup your stuff, reformat the drive and reinstall the opsys, then your apps, then your files and then you will find:

a) it is 10x faster than it was yesterday

b) you have lost your spelling dictionary, customised settings, browser history, those nice fonts you downloaded, your saved games, all your email (what was THAT doing under \WINDOWS anyway?) and a 1001 other things that you could probably live without.

c) you will be back up and working within 3 days with a really fast machine.


But without the Opsys install disk, there's only basic maintenance.
- delete your browser history
- delete everything in the %TEMP% area
- empty the waste basket
- ScanDisk all drives
- Defrag all drives
and those sort of things.

Mind you, if you haven't run a defrag for more than 3 months, doing that alone will make you realise you don't need a new PC.

Having done basic maintenance, consider upgrading the RAM. How much is installed?

[Sysman]

Without an XP install disk, you cannot do the most effective fix which is to re-install everything from scratch.

If you can scrounge / borrow / steal one from ClientCo, then backup your stuff, reformat the drive and reinstall the opsys, then your apps, then your files and then you will find:

a) it is 10x faster than it was yesterday

b) you have lost your spelling dictionary, customised settings, browser history, those nice fonts you downloaded, your saved games, all your email (what was THAT doing under \WINDOWS anyway?) and a 1001 other things that you could probably live without.

c) you will be back up and working within 3 days with a really fast machine.

Just a couple of points:

1) Identify what hardware components you have and grab the drivers before you wipe. Believe me, there's nothing worse than not having the correct drivers to access your CD/DVD or NIC when you start a rebuild.

2) Make a note of any customised settings you have. Taking copious screen shots of config settings before you start can save much grief.

3) 3 days sounds accurate. It took me only 2 days the first time I did it, but that was a dawn to midnight job.

[George Parr]

One more thing - make sure you have noted your mail server settings and POP3 passwords. If you need to see the hashed out passwords in Outlook there is an handy utility on the net - Google 'snadboy's revelation'.

[gingerjedi]

Just a couple of points:

1) Identify what hardware components you have and grab the drivers before you wipe. Believe me, there's nothing worse than not having the correct drivers to access your CD/DVD or NIC when you start a rebuild.

2) Make a note of any customised settings you have. Taking copious screen shots of config settings before you start can save much grief.

3) 3 days sounds accurate. It took me only 2 days the first time I did it, but that was a dawn to midnight job.

May I add that you download service pack 3 beforehand and burn it to disk, this will save you from having to do most of the updates.

Once done install office and any other essentials then take a ghost image for next time.

[Fred Bloggs]

With the price of RAM as low as it is, providing your Mobo supports 4Gb of RAM then you simply have no excuse for using less than this, IMO.

[Bunk]

With the price of RAM as low as it is, providing your Mobo supports 4Gb of RAM then you simply have no excuse for using less than this, IMO.

Actually, unless he's using XP64 (which most people aren't) there's no point getting more than 3GB.

[pmeswani]

Actually, unless he's using XP64 (which most people aren't) there's no point getting more than 3GB.

Vista 64-bit

No point getting XP 64.... not much is supported under XP 64.